Volterra Semiconductor (Nasdaq: VLTR) reported earnings on Oct. 22. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), Volterra Semiconductor missed estimates on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue grew slightly and GAAP earnings per share dropped.

Gross margins increased, operating margins contracted, net margins shrank.

Revenue details
 Volterra Semiconductor logged revenue of $42.1 million. The 15 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected sales of $44.1 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 2.0% higher than the prior-year quarter's $41.3 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
 EPS came in at $0.33. The 14 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.31 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.23 for Q3 were 12% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.26 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
 For the quarter, gross margin was 58.0%, 100 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 16.6%, 200 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 14.4%, 240 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $45.7 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.33.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $175.6 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.27.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 96 members out of 114 rating the stock outperform, and 18 members rating it underperform. Among 29 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 24 give Volterra Semiconductor a green thumbs-up, and five give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Volterra Semiconductor is outperform, with an average price target of $28.00.

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